Sherman, TX Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Section 10.03.009 of the Sherman Code of Ordinances, the city's tree protection ordinance, sets heritage status by size and species, not by a nomination or designation process. Under subsection (c)(2), a heritage tree is any species listed in Table 10.1 that measures 36 caliper inches or larger. A caliper inch is the diameter of the trunk measured 12 inches above grade, per the definitions in Section 10.01.003. The section covers all property in the City of Sherman and its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and applications for subdivisions, plats or tree removal permits submitted after December 18, 2023 must account for protected trees.

Heritage trees carry the heaviest mitigation in Table 10.2: replace 3 caliper inches for every 1 caliper inch removed, against 1 for every 2 for trees of 12 to 23 inches and 1 for 1 for trees of 24 to 35 inches. The total required mitigation cannot exceed 100 caliper inches per acre, and every replacement tree must be a minimum of three caliper inches. Replacement trees must be planted within 90 days of issuance of a tree removal permit, and the city manager or designee can approve a delay of up to six months. If replacement cannot be done on site, a fee-in-lieu payment into the city tree fund per caliper inch, set in appendix C, can be considered, or replacement trees can be planted at an agreed off-site location such as a park, street, median or common open space.

Preservation pays. Under Table 10.3, a preserved heritage tree of 36 caliper inches and above earns 36 caliper inches of credit toward the replacement requirement, while preserved trees of 8 to 35 inches earn 1 caliper inch of credit for every 1 preserved. Subsection (h)(3) lets the city manager or designee approve alternative standards where saving a protected tree conflicts with setbacks, lot design, building heights, sidewalks, lighting, signage, parking or driveway separation. During construction, disturbance is prohibited within the dripline area, which must be flagged and encircled with protective fencing and a three-inch layer of mulch beneath the drip line.

Exemptions apply: subdivisions of five acres or less, trees a certified arborist has documented as dead, diseased, declining or safety hazards, and proposed public streets, utility easements and required fire lanes. Subsection (j) lets the city council hear an appeal for alternative compliance when the required mitigation creates an undue hardship.